Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Publications and products

A guide for AONB partnership members
Staff can have a variety of functions according to the priorities of
the AONB, as identified in the Management Plan. These may include:
• Project manager.
• Fundraiser.
• Planning officer.
• Community liaison officer.
• Interpretation/Information officer.
• Conservation officer.
It will not always be necessary for the partnership to employ all of
the necessary functions directly. Some of the core functions may be
provided by professional staff in the AONB partnership, or may be
brought in by contracts as required. AONBs in close proximity, may
share specialist staff.
Case study: High Weald - Review of High Weald AONB Unit
In 1992 a small AONB unit was established in the High Weald AONB. The unit was typical of many present day AONB set ups. Two
dedicated and well motivated staff who were achieving a great deal to conserve and enhance the AONB landscape on very limited
resources. In 1997 an independent report was commissioned to assess the effectiveness of the unit and to highlight the achievments it
had made. At the time, the partners were reviewing the funding of the AONB unit and making value for money considerations.
Not only did the report highlight the tremendous success the unit was having in coordinating action of the partners in achieving
work on the ground. It also highlighted how the unit itself was a direct deliverer of AONB Management Plan objectives. It was attracting
funds from external sources and was a centre of expertise and information in AONB managment matters. The study established that it
was doubtful if any other mechanism, other than an AONB unit, could have achieved the same results.
In addition to highlighting the successes of the unit, the study also made reccomendations on how, with modest increasing in
staffing, the unit could perform to its fullest potential. As a result, the AONB partnership drew up plans to employ further core staff so
that it could deal more effectively with planning issues and to address its communication and promotion needs. The study also made
reccomendations on the employment of dedicated administrative staff to free up core staff from clerical work.
How is AONB management funded?
Central government has recognised that the production of the AONB
Management Plan and the implementation of the Plan policies requires
funding. Central government funding for AONB management is
available through the Countryside Agency. The Countryside Agency has
been funding both the management and Management Plan
implementation work for many years (historically as the Countryside
Commission) and it has built up considerable expertise in the most
effective way of managing AONBs.
The priority for Countryside Agency funding is the setting up of
AONB partnerships, staff units and the delivery of core functions as
outlined in this guidance. Funds for AONB core staff and core
functions will be available at up to 75%. The level of funding available
for each AONB is dependent on the needs of the area and the actual
costs incurred, but is guided by a formula based on the expected
management and staffing needs of each area, including the area, the
number of local authorities involved. Funding at this level requires
AONB partnerships to meet a number of conditions: see box overleaf.
Local authorities normally make up the remaining 25% of costs.
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